Hockey’s Farm Shop: Bank Holiday BBQs, Guided Walks & Signs of Summer in the New Forest
It might not feel particularly summery outside today, but according to the forecast, the New Forest and Hampshire are set for a beautiful late May Bank Holiday weekend with sunshine and warmer temperatures finally arriving. After a stop-start spring, it feels like people are more than ready for lighter evenings, outdoor eating and making the most of the countryside again.
AtHockey’s Farm Shop in South Gorley, there is already a real sense of the season changing. The butchery counter is filling with BBQ favourites, families are starting to plan half term days out and work on our exciting new canopy dining development is progressing really well.
Alongside all of that, we are also looking ahead to our next Breakfast & Guided Walk on Thursday 29th May with special guest Jack Jennings from Wessex Bloodhounds. These mornings have become a lovely way for people to spend time outdoors, enjoy breakfast at Hockey’s and learn more about the New Forest and the people connected to it.
With spaces now very limited, this feels like the perfect time to share what is happening at Hockey’s over the coming weeks.
Breakfast & Guided Walk – Thursday 29th May
Over the past few months, our Breakfast & Guided Walk mornings have quietly become one of the loveliest regular events we host at Hockey’s Farm Shop.
They are simple in concept but exactly the sort of thing people seem to be looking for more and more good food, fresh air, local knowledge and the chance to properly slow down for a morning.
On Thursday 29th May, we will be welcoming Jack Jennings from Wessex Bloodhounds as guest speaker for the event. Guests will enjoy breakfast in the Farmyard cafe before heading out on a guided walk through the surrounding countryside.
The walks are relaxed and welcoming, designed for people who enjoy the New Forest landscape and want to hear more about the traditions, wildlife and countryside life connected to it. You do not need to be an expert walker or know anything about bloodhounds beforehand, the mornings are simply about enjoying time outdoors and experiencing a different side of the New Forest.
Starting at 9am, the event has already proved popular and spaces are now very limited.
Events like these are also a reminder that Hockey’s is about much more than simply popping in for groceries. So many people now make a morning or afternoon of visiting us, enjoying breakfast or coffee, walking locally, browsing the Farm Shop and The Vinery, and spending time around the animals and outdoor spaces.
As we move towards summer, that slower, more relaxed style of visiting the New Forest feels more important than ever.
Booking information for the Breakfast & Guided Walk can be found on theHockey’s Events Page.
BBQ Season Has Officially Arrived
The minute a sunny Bank Holiday appears in the forecast, people across Hampshire seem to collectively decide it is time to clean the BBQ, invite friends over and start cooking outdoors again.
At Hockey’s Farm Shop, the butchery team have been preparing for exactly that.
Tom and Graham have put together a range of BBQ packs designed to make things easy for customers heading into the Bank Holiday weekend. Whether you are feeding family in the garden, planning a relaxed lunch with friends or simply fancy an easy midweek BBQ while the weather is good, the packs bring together some of the most popular barbecue favourites from the counter.
Each BBQ pack includes:
Four 6oz 100% beef burgers
Eight pork sausages
Plus your choice of:
Marinated chicken skewers
Pork ribs
Chicken portions
The burgers are made using 100% beef and are ideal stacked into brioche buns with melted cheese, crisp lettuce and whatever toppings you love best.
Alongside the BBQ packs, the butchery counter is full of steaks, sausages, marinated meats and seasonal favourites, all prepared with the same focus on quality and provenance that Hockey’s is known for.
One of the things customers regularly comment on is how much they appreciate being able to speak directly to knowledgeable butchers about what they are buying. Tom and Graham are always happy to offer cooking suggestions, talk through cuts or recommend something new to try.
That connection between customer, butcher and local produce is something that still matters enormously to us.
A Busy Half Term Ahead at Hockey’s Farm Shop
With half term arriving alongside the Bank Holiday weekend, we are looking forward to welcoming plenty of families, walkers, cyclists and visitors making the most of time in the New Forest.
For many people, Hockey’s has become part of a wider day out rather than simply somewhere to stop briefly. Some visitors join us for breakfast before heading off for a walk, others come for lunch after exploring the forest, while many spend time browsing the Farm Shop and The Vinery before picking up something from the butchery counter for the weekend.
As the weather improves, there is always a noticeable shift across the farm. Outdoor tables begin filling up again, people linger longer over coffee and cake and there is a lovely atmosphere around the site as everyone starts embracing the change in season.
The animals are always a big part of visits during school holidays too, particularly for younger children. From the pigs and goats to the donkeys and guinea pigs, there is something wonderfully simple about children slowing down to spend time around animals whilst parents enjoy a coffee or browse the shop.
The Vinery is also full of beautiful gifts, local makers, homewares and seasonal pieces, making it well worth taking time to properly explore during your visit.
At Hockey’s Farm Shop, we have always wanted people to feel relaxed when they visit. Whether you stay for twenty minutes or an entire morning, the aim is the same good food, friendly service and a genuine connection to local produce and the New Forest around us.
Progress on the New Canopy Dining Development
If you have visited Hockey’s recently, you will already have noticed some big changes happening around the farm.
Work on our new canopy dining development is progressing really well and we are incredibly excited to see the space gradually taking shape.
Many regular visitors will remember the old polytunnel area and know that whilst much loved, it was definitely ready for some attention. The redevelopment will create a much more versatile and welcoming area for dining, events and gatherings whilst still keeping the relaxed countryside atmosphere people associate with Hockey’s.
The transformation is already beginning to give a real sense of what the finished space could become over the summer months ahead.
Importantly, throughout the work, the Farm Shop, Farmyard cafe and The Vinery all remain fully open as normal.
To provide extra seating while the development continues, we have installed a marquee in the car park area so visitors can still comfortably enjoy breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake during their visit.
We are genuinely grateful for everyone’s patience whilst the work is ongoing and have really appreciated how supportive customers have been about the changes taking place.
There is always a balancing act with developments like this, improving and evolving whilst still protecting the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere people love about Hockey’s Farm Shop. That remains incredibly important to us.
Looking Ahead to Summer at Hockey’s Farm Shop
Although spring still feels slightly unpredictable weather-wise, there are definitely signs that summer is beginning to arrive across the New Forest.
The BBQs are coming back out, outdoor tables are filling up again and the farm is becoming busier with visitors making the most of the lighter evenings and warmer days.
Over the coming months we are excited to continue developing the new canopy dining area, welcoming more visitors to our Breakfast & Guided Walk mornings and celebrating the best of local New Forest produce across the Farm Shop, butchery and cafe.
For now though, we are simply looking forward to a sunny Bank Holiday weekend, plenty of good food and welcoming customers old and new to Hockey’s Farm Shop.
And if you are thinking about joining us for the Breakfast & Guided Walk on Thursday 29th May with Jack Jennings from Wessex Bloodhounds, now is definitely the time to book whilst the remaining spaces are still available.
